Woman involved in Karsaz accident gets bail

KARACHI: A sessions court on Friday granted post-arrest bail to a woman, the driver of an SUV involved in last month’s deadly Karsaz accident, after the victims’ family pardoned her “in the name of Almighty Allah” and expressed no objection to her release.

The reconciliation between the parties had been anticipated since the accident, but the swiftness of the settlement took many by surprise.

The woman had been arrested on charges of rash driving and manslaughter after her speeding luxury vehicle struck and killed 60-year-old Imran Arif and his 22-year-old daughter Amna, injuring two others on Karsaz Road on August 19.

Additional Sessions Judge (East) Shahid Ali Memon granted bail on the condition of a Rs100,000 surety and a personal bond of the same amount to the satisfaction of the court.

The judge observed, “There is no doubt that a tragic road accident occurred, resulting in two deaths and injuries to two others, along with damage to the vehicle.”

He further noted that the lawmakers had classified the alleged offences as compoundable, meaning they could be settled between the parties involved.

With the legal heirs of the deceased and the injured victims filing affidavits stating they had no objection to the suspect’s bail, the court concluded that the woman was no longer required for further investigation and granted her release.

Imtiaz Arif, the complainant and brother of Imran Arif, along with Romana Imran, the widow of Imran Arif, and their children Umama Arif and Osama Arif, filed separate affidavits stating, “We have forgiven the accused in the name of Almighty Allah, who is very kind and merciful.” They added that the accident was unintentional and that they had “amicably resolved the matter.”

Shane Alexander and Abdul Salam, who were injured in the accident, also expressed no objection to the woman’s bail through their legal representatives.

During the hearing, the victims’ family clarified that their settlement with the accused was voluntary and not made under any pressure or coercion.

Despite the bail order, the woman could not be immediately released, as she is awaiting a ruling in a separate drug case. A judicial magistrate is expected to announce a decision on her bail plea in that case on September 9.

Speaking to the media, defence counsel Amir Mansoob Qureshi confirmed the settlement, saying, “I found out yesterday that the families have forgiven the accused in the name of Allah.”

He said he was unaware of any compensation paid to the victims’ family.

Initially, an FIR was lodged at the Bahadurabad police station under various sections of the Pakistan Penal Code, including 320 (punishment for causing death by rash or negligent driving), 337-G (punishment for hurt by rash or negligent driving), 279 (rash driving), and 427 (mischief causing damage).

Later, the investigation officer added Section 322 (manslaughter) and Section 100 (driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol) of the Provincial Motor Vehicles Ordinance 1965.

Additionally, a separate case was registered under Section 11 (drinking liable to tazir) of the Prohibition (Enforcement of Hadd) Order, 1979.